OPUS Mag

May 13 Talent Will ALWAYS Win

The reason people think they dislike me is because I never need them for anything. Their “plugs” don’t mean shit to me and never will, because I have something to offer that they can’t reciprocate and that’s my talent. Understand something, it’s easy to be whatever titles these people give themselves, which by the way is dope and they don’t need my permission for shit in life, but it’s not easy to be talented. Why? Because having talent isn’t a title, it’s who I am. I see the resentment that talented people have for these self-titled people who are really nothing more than popular in my eyes, and I completely understand why. However, there’s no reason to be bitter, salty or paprika because talent will always win.

Here’s the thing, I can “go away” and “come back” without missing a beat because I have something tangible in my talent. All these people bring to the table is an image or mirage; they can’t “afford” for lack of a better term to “go away” because they’ll be replaced. I get it’s frustrating to see these people all in the videos, all on the whatever, I get it but their respect comes from popularity and that goes away. They’ll have to start looking for a new wave and they’ll be fucked. As with us talented people, we don’t have to look for shit because we are talent and talent lives inside of us. I just pray that these self-titled people are curating to save up all their vibes because they won’t be around in 20 years; our talent will be.

Part of being talented is frustration because you’re not where you know your talent should have you and you start to look around and resent these non-talented assholes. I GET IT. But it’s important to remember why you started. When I was a kid, I knew I wanted to create, I wanted to be Martin Lawrence, I wanted to make people laugh, I wanted to make people cry, I had that and do that because THAT is why I started. It was my personal vendetta to escape whatever demon was bothering me at the time. I couldn’t care less about the money, fame, women or anything. I just wanted to create and I’m no martyr, I will gladly take all the aforementioned short of being famous. Are these people famous? What influence do they really have? Or does it just look good? Are they actually moving the needle? Do the products they push or the sponsors they have actually see a change because of their “vibes”? Now think to yourself, if 1 person is affected by your talent, if 1 person tells you they appreciate you, if 1 person shares your talent; how long of a way does that go? And you didn’t have to become a soul prostitute for that irreplaceable satisfaction and joy.

Meanwhile, not only do these people not have talent, they have no appreciation for people. It’s all a façade; you know why? If I write a book and someone tells me they don’t like it or not a fan of it, is that not their right? Should I call them a hater? Do I tell them that they’re knocking my hustle? Or do I understand that what I do isn’t and doesn’t have to be for everybody as long as I stay true to form. These people are playing a character because there’s no talent within them. I NEVER knock the hustle but that doesn’t mean I ever have to fuck with it because I know better and you can’t hustle me. Hustlers want fast, easy money; they never ever think long term and having generational paper. Why? Because they know, 1 fuck up and they’re FUCKED. Ever notice how many chances talented people get? How many 2nd chances do “troubled” stars get? Robert Downey Jr. would be under a Hydra jail if he were just popular; it’s his talent that got him being Iron Man. There’s absolutely some lazy pricks who happen to be talented and I wish had some semblance of work ethic but I digress because most of these popular people have none. Now I understand the reason they get offended when people don’t fuck with their hustle and feel entitled to everything is because they never worked hard for shit. But that means that shit won’t last. Check this out, I can die in 2 minutes and my talent will have me GOOD out here because people will still buy & read my books and other words I’ve written for myself and others. People will still look at photos I’ve taken, movies and documentaries I’ve made and that’s all me because again, my talent and I are one in the same. What part of their hustle or “vibes” will be remembered 20 years after they’re dead?

Back to the frustration talented people let turn into resentment; DON’T! These people who claim to be whatever they are might be obstructing the view of people who should see your work and talent but they’ll be gone soon. Untalented people, by all means, get your hustle on, get your money and enjoy it while supplies last. Our talent isn’t predicated on how much others value us because again, we don’t need to be on the scene every day to impact anything. My picture hasn’t been taken in 6 months and the second my name pops up, people flock to me, why? Because they know the talent and work I bring to the table. Even if the right amount of people haven’t felt your work and seen your talent, does that mean you stop being yourself?

DJ Khaled is actually a talented disc jockey (I know some people are amazed right now). His talent was being overlooked and he decided to…wait for it…get in formation (double entendre). Instead of using his talent as a DJ, he took to social media and became a snappy chatty. Now he’s on tour with the Queen. I don’t want my talented people to have to do that; understand Khaled was well off and a celebrity before selfiemania and snappy chatty. Do not comprise yourself because you see untalented people using different avenues to get on. Let’s just call me an author for a minute; let’s say I have fans for a second (2 things I’m completely uncomfortable with btw) how easy would it be for me to bend my wrist in a way no man my age should and start talking into space about things I’d otherwise write about? I’d be a fucking supernova, not a star, I’d be IT. And that’s the thing, as people with talent, we can do what untalented people do and better but they can never be us, that’s why they stand in our way. I get we don’t all have the capacity and virtue of patience but my talented people, understand this, talent ALWAYS wins.

For anyone wondering why I picked that just say no to peer pressure/drugs picture it’s because popularity is just that. Think about it.

Coeur Noir is an autofiction novel written by Al Patron. The title is Haitian Creole for black heart or heart of black, in reference to the traits of the main protagonist, Nikolas Daniel...who may or may not be based on Al Patron himself. A coming of age novel Coeur Noir will evoke emotional reactions ranging from but not limited to crying & laughter, all while detailing a path to greatness for Al Pa...pardon...Nikolas Daniel.